How the Google Nexus One Stacks Up

Does the so-called "Google Phone" measure up against the iPhone, Droid, and other leading smartphones?
by Sean Ludwig
Tuesday's announcement of the Google Nexus One smartphone wasn't a shocker, but the phone itself has some great new features and is in a good position to become the top Android device just months after the Motorola Droid took over that spot. The Nexus One's specs are appealing, with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, an amazing screen that is similar to the Droid's, and a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. Google's Nexus One is also the first device to run Android 2.1 software, which adds features like new home screen panels and interactive wallpaper.

So how does the Nexus One measure up to the other big-name smartphones out there? We'll compare the Nexus One to the Motorola Droid, Apple iPhone 3GS, Motorola CLIQ, and the Palm Pre, four of the highest-rated and most-buzzed about smartphones of the last year. We'll show how the Nexus One's specs compare in terms of network, OS, display, processor, and camera. Of course, final judgments will have to wait until we've had a chance to test the unit.

Network
The Nexus One can be purchased on contract from T-Mobile immediately and will be available for Verizon Wireless in the spring. This is the first time such a heavyweight smartphone has been offered on two simultaneous U.S. networks so quickly, and it's a peculiar (and welcome) example of choice for the consumer. The Nexus One can also be purchased unlocked, and you can use a T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card to get service. (Keep in mind, however, that because of supported frequency bands, unlocked Nexus Ones will be compatible with T-Mobile's 3G network, but not AT&T's.) While T-Mobile had its share of publicity problems in 2009, the service is known for good pricing and customer service. T-Mobile is going to be the first with HSPA+ data, so CLIQ and Nexus One owners who can get 3G service from the carrier should be able to enjoy noticeably faster data speeds before other carriers.

By comparison, the iPhone's biggest problem is arguably that it's only on AT&T, which has a reputation for dropped calls and unreliable service. The Pre is on Sprint, which continues to be a fairly reliable option for 3G service and coverage. The Droid has the advantage of being tied exclusively to Verizon—a feather in its cap because of Verizon's trustworthy service. When it comes to the network, Google's Nexus One trails the Droid at the moment, but when it adds Verizon in the spring, the Nexus One looks set to have the most attractive options.

Operating System
The Nexus One has a real edge when it comes to the OS. Android 2.1 is, not surprisingly, better than the Motorola Droid's Android 2.0. And it's light years ahead of the Motorola CLIQ's Android 1.5, which feels dated even with its MotoBlur extras.

As for whether Android 2.1 is better than the iPhone's 3.1 OS, that's a matter of personal preference. Each has its own feel—Android more customizable, iPhone more streamlined. Two of the biggest differences are that Android can run several third-party apps simultaneously—not the iPhone. Android also allows for more customization of home screens than the iPhone. On the other side, the latest iPhone OS has an onboard video editor and a simpler-to-use interface.

Palm's webOS is another beast altogether. Its innovative and fun interface features "cards", where each program is a card you can pull out, cycle through, and discard as needed. Plus, you can run multiple apps simultaneously. Sadly, Palm's Pre isn't powerful enough to fully realize webOS without bits of sluggishness, especially with multiple apps running.

Display
The Nexus One has a 3.7-inch, 480-by-800-pixel AMOLED display. The Droid has a similar 3.7-inch 480-by-854-pixel touch screen, but it won't be quite as vibrant because it's not AMOLED. We absolutely love the Droid's screen, so we'll give the Nexus One equal billing because they are comparable. The iPhone's bright 3.5-inch, 320-by-480-pixel screen is good, but not Droid or Nexus One good. The CLIQ and Pre's 3.1-inch, 320-by-480-pixel touch screens are just a little too small for comfort, especially when compared to their smartphone competitors. The Nexus One ties the Droid when it comes to screen specs, until we have to time test the units side-by-side.

Processor
Being Google must have some serious perks. The Nexus One is only the second smartphone, after the HTC HD2, to be equipped with the powerful 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, the fastest processor yet to run on a phone. Most analysts have noted that the processor makes a big difference and makes Android run very smoothly. The Droid runs well too, but its ARM Cortex-A8 is now a generation behind. The iPhone and Pre both run ARM Cortex-A8 processors as well, so count them slightly behind the curve now too. And the CLIQ's 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor, which is responsible for its occasional sluggishness, is now two generations behind. The Nexus One is the clear winner when it comes to processor specs.

Camera
The Nexus One features a 5-megapixel camera with a LED flash and can capture video at 720-by-480 pixels at a minimum of 20 frames per second. The Droid has a 5-megapixel camera with flash and can take videos at the same resolution with 25 frames per second. The iPhone's 3-megapixel camera doesn't quite compare, but videos on the iPhone are 640 by 480 pixels and 30 frames per second, which are probably in the same class as the Nexus One and Droid. And the Pre's 3-megapixel camera works fine, but lacks in options and doesn't record video. The Droid has a slight edge in terms of camera specs—actual performance is another matter, of course. Stay tuned for our tests.
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